Free The Guardian (The Gifted Book 1) by C. L. McCourt

unexplained.
    ~~~
    "What time are we expected?" Daen asked, stuffing another sweater in his duffel bag and zipping it closed.
    Randell dropped his bag by the front door of their apartment. "I told them we would be there by 4:00. They're hoping we will stay through the entire holiday and semester break."
    Daen tossed his bag next to Randell's. "That works for me. It'll be nice to get some fresh air, and get in some regular practice. You ready for a challenge?"
    "As long as you don't tap into your special powers, I can hold my own , thank you very much." Randell tried to look dignified but broke into laugher when Daen raised his brow with an are-you-serious look.
    Randell shrugged. "Fine. I can't help it that you have, what is it, a hundred or so more years of experience than I do."
    Now Daen was laughing. "You're very good , but I suspect we're both a little rusty. Battling with swords requires constant practice to be at your best."
    Randell feigned seriousness. "Well , it's a good thing we don't fight with swords in this world or we would be in grave danger right about now."
    Daen pulled a water bottle from the fridge. "You joke , but I never know when I'll be allowed to go back, or the circumstances under which it could happen. I feel vulnerable not carrying my weapons, let alone not practicing regularly."
    Randell raised his hands defensively. "Fine. Okay. What has you so uptight?"
    "I'm tired. I can't shake the anxious feeling that she's close. And every day I go without practice I feel less able to do what I was sent here to do."
    Randell knew Daen would rather live at his parents' house so they could practice each day. After returning from Randell's years at school, they'd gotten rather spoiled living at home. But when he got the job at the university, he 'd known it was time to move again.
    Randell said, "I'm sorry about the living arrangements but it was getting embarrassing living at home. What would I say to a date? Would you like to come to my house? Oh yeah, don't mind my mom and dad in the living room."
    Daen rolled his eyes. "It's not like you've brought anyone home since we've been here, and I'm most certainly not going to." Daen dropped his eyes and shook his head before heading to his room.
    "Dude! I know it's been hard on you. But how do you know she's waiting for you? It's been a long time."
    Daen stepped out of his room to look at Randell standing at the end of the hall. "I hope she's moved on. I want her to be happy. But I can't move on. I have to keep believing I'll get to go home. And if she's still there, is still single, and still wants me after I abandoned her, well, I'll be damn sure not to give her a reason not to take me back."
    Randell leaned on the frame of Daen's bedroom door. "Hey, I'm sorry if I said something out of line. Are you going to be okay?"
    Daen sat on his bed and looked at Randell with a steady gaze . "I don't know. It's these dreams I've been having; the ones that crush me." Daen stood and started to pace. "I need to find the source and I have no idea where to start looking. I'm not a tracker. I can't sense gifts." He picked up a shirt from his reading chair and slammed it into the hamper.
    "I look every time we leave the house ," Randell said. He was doing okay this time around as far as his gift wearing him down. What bothered him more was the feeling he was prying. He didn't feel right eavesdropping on people's emotions, but for the sake of his friend and his mission, he did it; anything to help Daen get home.
    "I know. I appreciate it."
    The thought of Daen leaving was hard on Randell. Daen had become more than a friend. He was like a brother. He thought that perhaps, when the time came, he would go with him. Of course he hadn't broached the subject with Daen or his parents. He'd decided that it was best to leave the arguing until the last minute.
    ~~~
    Rhea quickly picked up her room and headed downstairs to set the table for dinner. She took the stairs slowly, looking at the